Pulled Over on My Bike Journey

Date: 2/11/2024

I was biking on a New York highway heading back to New Jersey. I was going southbound and all of a sudden I see bright orange, white and red lights behind me. First it was a tow truck that was veering off to the right side of the highway. Behind the tow truck was a police car with flashing lights. It was aiming toward me. I swerved with my bikes to avoid the police car but he was still chasing after me. So I pulled over to the right side of the highway, where the tow truck was. A female police officer came out of the car and asked for my registration and insurance. I didn’t have it since I wasn’t on my bike. She pulled me over because I wasn’t supposed to ride my bike on the highway. She didn’t give me any ticket, but she only gave me a warning. We wound up having a conversation about life and my struggles. I explained that I was tired and wasn’t sure how I would make it home on the bike. She offered me another route home and even was willing to pay the tolls for me to head back home. When I crossed the bridge back into NJ, I was in Hoboken at a traffic light. The intersection reminded me of Elizabeth where I grew up. I was thinking at the stop light how I would have the energy to get home.